Protecting one's home when traveling

FALLBROOK – Many families travel during the year, when gatherings with family and friends require individuals to pack up their vehicles and hit the open road to reconnect with loved ones. Such get-togethers are great ways to make a great vacation, but being away for extended periods of time may leave one's home vulnerable to criminals.

Alarm systems and Neighborhood Watch programs are great ways to help provide peace of mind to homeowners, but there are additional ways to protect one's home when traveling.

• Use timers to make it appear as though someone is home. Entertainment systems and even certain home lighting products allow homeowners to make it seem as though they are home even when they aren't. Criminals are likely to be deterred from burglarizing homes that are well-lit, and noise inside the home can give burglars the impression that someone is inside. Use the timing device on an entertainment or sound system to play music at night, and make sure lights come on at the same time and stay on until the time the family would ordinarily go to bed. It is advisable to change the times on a day to day basis if possible.

• Don't allow mail to stockpile in the mailbox. A telltale sign that no one is home is mail that begins to stockpile in a mailbox. A mailbox overflowing with mail indicates to burglars that no one is home and also makes residents vulnerable to potential identity thieves looking to peruse their mailbox for sensitive information. Whether travelers suspend mail delivery while they're away or ask a neighbor to pick up their mail each day, they can make sure letters are not allowed to accumulate in their mailbox while they are out of town.

• Consider installing motion-detecting lights around the exterior of a home. Families who routinely leave home for extended periods of time should install motion-detection devices around their properties. Such devices will immediately illuminate yards or areas around the home when movement is detected within their range. Lights flashing in the dark of night can deter burglars and may even earn homeowners discounts on their insurance policies.

• Be cautious with social media. Today's criminals are tech-savvy, and some may turn to social media to look for potential victims. When leaving home for an extended holiday vacation, people should not broadcast their plans on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Though they might be tempted to post photos of themselves and their family hitting the ski slopes or sitting poolside with grandma and grandpa, they should wait until they return from their trip to share such photos.

• Fill out a vacation check request at the Fallbrook Sheriff's substation. On the dates the home will not be occupied, the Fallbrook Senior Volunteer Patrol will check it for security purposes. The substation is located at 333 E. Alvarado Street. Call (760) 451-3100 for further information.

Travel is common and desirable throughout the year, but homeowners should take precautions to protect their homes while they are away.